As the world races to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, innovative technologies and solutions are gaining attention. Among these, waste heat recovery is emerging as a promising road to explore. But how does waste heat recovery (also known as heat capture) work exactly? Why does it matter? And how much potential does it have to shape our planet’s energy future and meet fast-approaching net-zero deadlines?
In this blog, we address these questions and more while also highlighting Bloom Energy’s increasingly important role in accelerating heat capture technology use.
What Is Heat Capture?
Heat capture involves collecting and reusing heat that would otherwise be lost during industrial processes, energy generation, or even from the exhaust of vehicles. For example, when a power plant burns fuel to generate electricity, only about 40% of the energy is converted into usable electricity. The remaining 60% escapes as waste heat. Similarly, manufacturing plants often emit significant heat into the air or water during production.
By capturing this otherwise wasted energy and putting it to good use, industries can improve efficiency and reduce their reliance on carbon-emitting energy sources. The captured heat can be utilized for a wide variety of purposes – such as powering turbines, warming buildings, or even being converted into electricity using technologies like thermoelectric generators.
How Can Heat Capture Heat Up the Race to Net Zero?
Heat capture has immense potential to accelerate global decarbonization efforts. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), capturing and reusing industrial waste heat could offset up to 20% of global industrial energy demand. In carbon terms, this equates to avoiding hundreds of millions of tons of emissions annually.
The concept also aligns well with renewable energy adoption. For instance, some solar thermal plants already use waste heat capture to enhance efficiency. Coupled with renewable technologies, waste heat systems can further minimize the carbon footprint of energy-intensive processes.
Is Heat Capture Widely Used? The answer is surprisingly not yet – but times are changing.
Even despite its benefits, heat capture remains underutilized. Many industries are still unaware of the full potential of waste heat recovery, or they have concerns over upfront investment costs. In some regions, low-cost, affordable energy prices also deter companies from investing in more innovative efficiency measures.
Nonetheless, the potential for heat capture technology is enormous. A report by the Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that U.S. industries alone waste over 1,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy annually in the form of heat—equivalent to about 15% of the country’s total energy consumption.
Globally, the numbers are even more staggering. According to an analysis by McKinsey & Company, a multinational strategy and management consulting firm, at least 3,100 thermal terawatt-hours (TWhth) of feasible waste heat is currently not being captured.
However, emerging innovations are enhancing interest and increasing adoption of this promising technology.
New Factors Are Increasing Heat Capture Adoption
Recent developments in heat recovery technology have reduced costs and improved efficiency, significantly enhancing interest in its industrial use. For example, technological advances, such as Bloom Energy’s decision to integrate heat capture technology into its innovative Bloom Energy Server®, have caused energy efficiency levels to skyrocket and enhanced the overall economics of the solution.
With a platform based on solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, the Bloom Energy Server operates at temperatures above 800 ̊C, creating clean energy at one of the highest combined heat and power efficiency levels in the market today. By adding heat capture configuration capabilities into its servers, the total combined system efficiency can reach a lifetime average efficiency of >90%.
The Bloom Energy Server with Heat Capture is scalable with building blocks starting at 195 kW to multiple MW systems, custom-designed to fit any customer need. It can be installed at ground level or as a Power Tower with Heat Capture.
Other Leading Factors Fueling Heat Capture Use
- Energy Crisis and Rising Costs
Global energy price surges have highlighted the importance of energy efficiency. Heat capture offers a way to reduce dependence on external energy supplies, especially in regions grappling with volatile fuel markets. - Climate Policies and Net-Zero Commitments
Governments worldwide are introducing stricter emissions regulations and incentives for green technologies. The European Union, for instance, promotes district heating systems that integrate waste heat recovery. Similarly, tax credits and grants in countries like the U.S. encourage industries to invest in energy efficiency measures. - Corporate Sustainability Goals
With pressure mounting from stakeholders, investors, and consumers, many companies are adopting sustainability strategies. Heat capture aligns perfectly with these goals, helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint while saving on energy costs.
Innovative Heat Capture Benefits Across Mission-Critical Sectors
Data Centers: As digital infrastructure grows, the significant heat generated by servers can be captured for other purposes, such as warming nearby buildings.
Urban Heat Networks: District heating systems in cities can integrate waste heat from factories, power plants, or commercial buildings.
Transportation: Technologies to recover heat from vehicle engines or even trains can improve energy efficiency in the transportation sector.
The Path Forward Led by Heat Capture
In a world where every degree of efficiency matters, heat capture is more than just a technical fix—it’s a step toward a sustainable, low-carbon future. By embracing this underutilized energy source, the world can move closer to balancing the energy equation and achieving the ambitious goal of net-zero emissions.
Heat Capture FAQs
- What Is Heat Capture?
Heat capture involves reclaiming heat lost during industrial processes, energy production, and even vehicle operation. By recovering and repurposing this otherwise wasted energy, industries can boost efficiency and reduce dependence on carbon-emitting energy sources. The reclaimed heat can be used to heat or cool buildings, or even generate electricity through technologies like thermoelectric generators. - Is Heat Capture important in helping the world reach its net-zero goals?
Heat capture holds significant promise for advancing global decarbonization. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that reusing industrial waste heat could meet up to 20% of the world’s industrial energy needs. This would prevent the release of hundreds of millions of tons of carbon emissions each year. - Is Heat Capture use growing?
While currently under-utilized, recent developments in heat recovery technology have reduced costs and improved efficiency, significantly enhancing interest in its industrial use. For example, technological advances, such as Bloom Energy’s heat capture technology integrated with its innovative Bloom Energy Server, have caused energy efficiency levels to skyrocket and enhanced the overall economics of the solution.
